That morning in my room I had prayed for God to show me His love. The devotional I had just done was about opening your eyes to see God in every day things.
“Okay God. Show me, today.” I prayed. I was on a summer mission trip in Orlando Florida, three times a week our team split up in pairs and went to hotel pools to lead Kid’s clubs. (Pool games, snacks Bible story, crafts.) When I arrived the pool was relatively empty except for a father and his daughter. She couldn’t have been older than four. I offered a ball I had to the girl and we played catch for awhile in the shallow end of the pool. The father took it has as his chance to take a break and relax by the pool. The little girl laughed, giggled and splashed around. Our game of catch turned quickly into a game of fetch, she threw the ball as hard as she could and I would go get it. She loved it. Her dad caught on to what was happening and stepped back in the water.

“Thanks for playing with her…Ya know, I love that girl…” He paused, looking at his daughter. She had forgotten about the pink ball and became quickly enthralled with the sound her feet made when stomped on the steps in the shallow end.

“ya know marlie,” He continued. “I’ll tell ya something, I’ve been through a whole heck of a lot. Accidents, physical injuries, car crashes, fires. I shouldn’t be alive. But I am. ya know why?” He pointed to the sky, and I nodded in agreement.

“Yes sir, it looks like God has you alive for a reason!”

“And I know exactly why I am alive.” He pointed to his daughter, who was still stomping around joyfully.

“for her, she’s my everything. My princess. I’d do anything for her.I’d die for her in a second, if I had to. She’s the most important person to me in my life. .” He continued going on and on and on about her. This tough, tattoo covered man, was tearing up as he talked. It warmed my heart to hear him say all that. As I listened, I heard something. It was quick, soft, and I almost missed it. But as I looked at this father, and listened to him talk about how much he loved his daughter, i heard:

“How much more?”

This imperfect man loves his daughter this much; how much more do I love you?

It was God asking; and it was powerful.

Ever since then, God has been putting me any situations like that and consistently asking the question: “How much more?”

His love is perfect, beyond human comprehension and beyond all we could ever need and hope for in this life. It’s so easy to write about God’s love, to even talk and sing about God’s love. And then walk away, and just live life as if we didn’t have the Creator of the Universe on our side. He created the stars; and knows our scars. And I walk around thinking I need more to be happy.I don’t understand God, nor do I understand how He loves us so much, or even why sometimes. But, God is patient and has been revealing His love to me in tangible ways ever since that day at the pool in Orlando (and probably before then too) I pray He does the same for you in your daily life!

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Nice post. I like the way you listen with His ears, and see with His eyes, and feel with His heart. Not many have any idea that they are supposed to live like that. How marvelous that you are being transformed in this way at your age. In the world we live in, we need all the help from Him we can get! If any bother to look closely, they will see power at work in your life. May they be encouraged to seek the way to life through the Truth that you have found.

Jesus told me earlier in the week during my journaling time that he was working a plan, and that the cues that He was at work would be unmistakable. Then He told me I should remember His love was a mighty defense, as strong tower. It wasn’t two hours until my (disabled) brother’s landlord. Usually that means he hasn’t managed to pay his rent for some reason, but she called me to tell me he couldn’t stay in his apartment unless it got a serious cleaning and a major cat-ectomy. Which is a problem for me, because he lives in New Mexico and I live in Iowa. But Jesus indeed had a plan and He is working it. The landlord had more suggestions and solutions than outright demands. She found me a person who could come in and help for a reasonable rate. Know what her name is? Grace. Must be a God thing.

Anyway, enough rambling. Just keep looking to Him. An earnest heart diligently seeking Him will never be allowed to stray far off the path.

this is so so encouraging! thank you, thank you thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time to read this and comment. so nice 🙂
thank you so much for reading and sharing that story with me. That’s super crazy and cool. I love moments like that.
Sorry it took me so long to reply, been in the middle of a crazy semester school-wise. Blah! It’s slowing down though now! yay!